Illinois State University officials said Friday they have agreed to return to the bargaining table in hopes of resolving a strike that has sidelined close to 350 building, grounds and food service workers for nearly a month.
An ISU spokesperson said university administration contacted the federal mediator Thursday morning to indicate their willingness to resume negotiations with AFSCME Local 1110.
”The university is making this effort in good faith after the governor’s request that both parties return to the bargaining table,” ISU spokesperson Chris Coplan said in a statement.
At an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Pritzker called on the two sides to work on coming to an agreement.
“All of them need to get back to the bargaining table,” Pritzker said in Springfield. “It seems like there is a deal to be made. We want to make sure that happens in an expedited fashion. I do not like the idea that we have people who are not working.”
The last bargaining session was April 15. The union has been on strike since April 8.
ISU's Vice President of Finance and Planning Glen Nelson said Monday the university had already presented its best and final offer.
ISU says the session with the federal mediator is planned for Monday.
Anders Lindall, a spokesperson for AFSCME Council 31, said the meeting between the parties was not yet confirmed.
“Of course, it’s not enough merely to meet – the goal must be to address workers’ concerns and reach an agreement. At previous meetings, ISU sat at the table but refused to negotiate,” Lindall said in an email.
AFSCME workers have called for higher wage increases and for raises to be made retroactive to last June, when their last contract expired. The union also wants the university to guarantee it will at least match any wage increases given to nonunion staff.
Pritzker is not the only elected official to get involved in the labor dispute. State Sen. Dave Koehler, state Rep. Sharon Chung, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth — all Democrats — and Republican nominee for governor Darren Bailey have all expressed support for the striking workers.
AFSCME has also taken the university to court, alleging it has hired strikebreakers to replace the striking workers. ISU has denied this.
On Wednesday, a McLean County judge struck down the union’s request for a temporary restraining order, but delayed a decision on the university’s request to dismiss to lawsuit.
